It is not often that we get to cover advertising news from Charlotte, NC, the town we live in. But the past couple of weeks have been quite exciting for the advertising community, and exciting enough for us to consider writing about it.

First up is the creative agency Tattoo Projects. Not only did these cats win the Southeast Small Agency of the Year a few years ago, but they are picking up big work left and right. It was just announced by the local business journal that the agency will be handling all the brand communications for Victory Motorcycles, the second-largest motorcycle player next to Harley-Davidson. Tattoo appears to have done some work for Victory in the past, but this is the first time they get to really direct creative and act as a partner with the brand.

Second is BooneOakley, one of the more famous advertising agencies in our Queen City. The shop recently gained more acclaim for appearing on AMC's advertising experiment called The Pitch. Maybe you've heard of it. If not, BooneOakley has done some impressive work. They were the masterminds behind Ruby Tuesday's "blowing up" of their restaurants. Their quirky style has been somewhat challenged since the original partners split ways, but they are rebounding (seemingly) nicely. For the team announced that it will bring Cheerwine, the carbonated beverage that calls North Carolina home, to the national stage. The cherry-flavored soda is already available in about 20 states, with now-obvious plans to expand.

Finally, and a little closer to home, is the minor league team called the Charlotte Knights. The Knights, the AAA club associated with the Chicago White Sox, is making some serious moves. First, the team is moving to Charlotte's center city and will play its first game in the new ball park next season. Second, it will have a new look: the baseball club announced new logo and branding to start its first preseason with high city hopes.

The local team worked with a group out in San Diego to create the new designs.

Below is the new design.

Now, we watch a lot of college football, and we thought the style looked eerily familiar to the University of Central Florida. Oddly enough, they too are the Knights.

Below is UCF's logo.

Imitation is a form of flattery, right? Of course, it is probably coincidental.

There you have it, friends. Hopefully this serves a friendly reminder that there are more cities in the south than Atlanta, Miami, and Richmond that have budding advertising communities. Don't get it twisted; Charlotte has been woefully behind the aforementioned, but we are thrilled to see it catching up.